Media Draft Grades

[Luvnit2]

(04-30-2017, 01:39 PM)PlayerFormerlyKnownAsMousecop Wrote: I think draft grades are done based on potential and then the likelihood that potential plays out. Otherwise, they serve no purpose. As much as people in the NFL and "experts" and fans like to act like they can predict the future, the fact is that the reason the NFL is so popular is because of its parity and unpredictability.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Spot on
The experts all also do mock drafts and use their own mocks to give grades. If the mocked someone in round 1 and a team grabs that guy in round 3, they get bonus points from that evaluator to make themselves look better. They could just say I guess my evaluation was poor, but instead they go off about the great value that team got. But in reality, it was just a miss by the expert.

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(04-30-2017, 10:13 AM)Bengalbug Wrote: Dane Brugler, CBS thinks bengals improved the most of any team.

Cincinnati Bengals
1 (9) John Ross, WR, Washington
2 (48) Joe Mixon, RB, Oklahoma
3 (73) Jordan Willis, DE, Kansas State
4 (116) Carl Lawson, DE, Auburn
4 (128) Josh Malone, WR, Tennessee
4 (138) Ryan Glasgow, DT, Michigan
5 (153) Jake Elliott, PK, Memphis
5 (176) J.J. Dielman, OC, Utah
6 (193) Jordan Evans, LB, Oklahoma
6 (207) Brandon Wilson, RB/CB, Houston
7 (251) Mason Schreck, TE, Buffalo
Quarterback Andy Dalton was one of the biggest winners of this draft with the additions of Ross and Mixon with the Bengals' first two selections. Ross has the explosive speed to stretch the field, but also the polished routes to create for himself. Mixon hasn't taken a snap in the NFL, but it might not take long for him to be the second-best running back in the AFC North behind Le'Veon Bell, which also happens to be his closest NFL comparison.
Willis in the third round was excellent value and then Lawson was even better in the fourth, which is a round the Bengals have found success before with defensive linemen (Geno Atkins, Andrew Billings, Domata Peko). Dielman missed most of his senior season due to injury, but if he stays healthy, he could be the future starting center in Cincinnati. Evans is a good-sized athlete who can do a little bit of everything on the football field and was one of the most notable Combine snubs.

Thanks Bengal Bug, major reps. The Dielman quote couldn't help but make me smile a bit.

Hope that is true. Buff up JJ and take that Center job. :andy:

[CJD]

Walterfootball:

http://walterfootball.com/offseason2017cin.php

Quote:NFL Draft Team Grade: B+ Grade 

Goals Entering the 2017 NFL Draft: The Bengals couldn't do anything offensively last year when either A.J. Green or Tyler Eifert was out. Now, Cincinnati has lost two of its stud offensive linemen. The offense has to be retooled now, though the Bengals can't ignore some of their glaring needs on defense like defensive end and linebcker. 

2017 NFL Draft Accomplishments: If Cincinnati's goal was to cause lots of controversy during the draft, the team deserves an A+ for its effort. Joe Mixon was the biggest story on Day 2, as the Bengals selected the troubled running back after moving down seven spots in the second round. Mixon was filmed punching a woman and knocking her out, which was horrible to watch. However, this occurred several years ago, and there haven't been repeat incidents. If a team wanted to give Mixon a second chance, I can understand it, but the Bengals better make sure they cut him if he gets into similar trouble again. If Mixon remains clean, he'll offer a huge upgrade over Jeremy Hill, who has disappointed since his rookie campaign. He's a big risk, but the payoff is enormous. 

There was also some controversy in the opening frame, as the Bengals picked John Ross No. 9 overall. Ross was reportedly off some teams' boards because of his durability issues, though he certainly has the physical skill set to be the ninth-overall selection in the draft. Cincinnati wanted Will Fuller or Corey Coleman last year, and Ross is a better version of them. He and Josh Malone will provide some much-needed juice in the receiving corps, so if either A.J. Green or Tyler Eifert gets hurt again, the offense won't collapse. 

The Bengals also had to upgrade their pass rush, and they focused on that in the third and fourth rounds, acquiring Jordan Willis and Carl Lawson. I loved both picks, as the two players were steals. I had Willis going at the end of the first round, while Lawson would've had a chance at the opening frame had he not endured so many injuries in college. 

There was nothing wrong with anything else Cincinnati did. It was a solid draft overall. I thought Ross was a bit of a reach, considering his injury, and Mixon is a big risk, but the Bengals did a very good job of addressing needs and selecting talented players while doing so. 








NFL Draft Individual Grades: 

9. John Ross, WR, Washington: C+ Grade 
I had John Ross slotted to the Bengals in my 2017 NFL Mock Draft, but I did not think Jonathan Allen and Malik Hooker would be available. Wow, how do you pass on them? At any rate, Ross makes sense for the Bengals. Cincinnati wanted Will Fuller or Corey Coleman last year, and Ross is a better version of them. That said, there were better players available, so I have to give this something like a C+. I'm also concerned about Ross' durability. 

48. Joe Mixon, RB, Oklahoma: A+ Grade 
What a great pick by the Bengals. I know Joe Mixon has a checkered past, to say the least, but had he been clean off the field, he would've been a top-15 pick. He has behaved well recently, so there's a chance he has changed for the better. If so, Cincinnati is getting a potential All-Pro running back. And the cherry on top is that the Bengals obtained Mixon after trading down! 

73. Jordan Willis, DE, Kansas State: A+ Grade 
I wrote that the Chargers' pick of Dan Feeney could go down as the best pick in the third round. Well, it just received some competition. Jordan Willis is a highly athletic pass-rusher who easily could've been chosen at the bottom of the first round. That's actually where I had him, but I'm not sure why he dropped so far. The Bengals won't complain, as he should be able to help their mediocre pass rush. 

116. Carl Lawson, DE/OLB, Auburn: A Grade 
Carl Lawson had a chance to be a first-round pick had it not been for multiple injuries. Unfortunately, those are a concern. If Lawson can stay healthy, he'll be a terrific edge rusher for the Bengals, filling a big need. That's a huge "if," however, but I think he's worth the risk here. 

128. Josh Malone, WR, Tennessee: C+ Grade 
The Bengals were expected to go after two receivers, given their dire need at the position. Josh Malone is much different than John Ross, as he's not explosive and struggles to separate. However, he's a big wideout with deep speed, so maybe he'll pan out. I would've taken him a round later. 

138. Ryan Glasgow, DT, Michigan: B- Grade 
I slotted Ryan Glasgow in the fifth round, so he makes sense at the end of the fourth frame. Glasgow tested extremely poorly athletically, but was very productive at Michigan. He could end up being a solid rotational lineman for the Bengals, but probably won't ever be a decent starter. 

153. Jake Elliott, K, Memphis: C Grade 
A kicker in the fifth round? Meh. I know the Bengals had field-goal woes in 2016, but this is still a bit early for a kicker. 

176. J.J. Dielman, G, Utah: C Grade 
I was close to placing J.J. Dielman in the seventh round of my mock draft, but he didn't quite make the cut. He easily could have though, as he has upside and athleticism. The Bengals are desperate for blocking, so the pick is logical. 

193. Jordan Evans, LB, Oklahoma: B+ Grade 
The Bengals had to find a linebacker, and Jordan Evans is a decent one at this juncture. Evans is very athletic and could be a coverage specialist for the Bengals in sub packages. I don't see him as an every-down player, but there's a slight chance he could end up becoming one. 

207. Brandon Wilson, CB, Houston: B Grade 
Brandon Wilson wasn't very productive as a cornerback at Houston, but he has terrific athleticism and return ability. It's unclear if he'll see the field much as a defender for the Bengals, but he could definitely make an impact on special teams. 

251. Mason Schreck, TE, Buffalo: B- Grade 
I'm sure the Bengals aren't trying to troll their fans by selecting a tight end every year, but Mason Schreck has above-average athleticism and could compete for a roster spot. It'll be tough for him to beat out the players behind Tyler Eifert, however. 
Read more at http://walterfootball.com/offseason2017cin.php#pyVHCQVQbHxmq4Q9.99

[THE PISTONS]

(04-30-2017, 12:10 PM)Bengalbug Wrote: Mel kipper on 2005 Cincinnati Bengals: A-

Defensive end David Pollack and linebacker Odell Thurman were teammates at Georgia and are immediate upgrades for the front seven on Marvin Lewis' defense.

and thanks to his great physical attributes receiver Chris Henry is a good gamble in the third round despite some character questions.

I'm guessing this is a pretty depressing draft for Bengals fans. Thurman and Pollack weren't big contributors for different reasons and Chris Henry should probably get credit for helping the NFL overhaul its conduct code for players. I'm not sure we should increase the draft grade because of this though, so I won't be nice. Another big miss by Kiper. I'd give the Bengals points since Henry and Pollack's failures weren't their fault, but I'm not in a good mood today. This is a "C-" draft at best

That draft looked AMAZING on paper...then bam...a few years later it was all gone. Pretty hard to recover from getting nothing out of a draft class 3 years later.

[*pally*]

And then we have Brad Gagnon from Bleacher Report who thinks so much of our draft that he ranked us 28th in his post draft power rankings. The Browns are 25th, the Ravens 22nd. So I guess his line about the "increasingly tough AFCN" hinges entirely on the Steelers 3rd ranking.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2706187-nfl-power-rankings-where-does-every-team-stand-after-the-draft?utm_source=cnn.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=editorial

The Bengals won just six games last season and then got worse by losing their two best offensive linemen, Whitworth and guard Kevin Zeitler, on the free-agent market. It marked the second consecutive offseason in which they suffered major net losses in free agency despite having money to spend.

And they didn't do much in the draft to convince us they're suddenly on the right track.

They reached for speedy wide receiver John Ross in the top 10, despite the fact Ross is arguably a one-dimensional player who comes with medical red flags. Then they followed that up by drafting a walking red flag in running back Joe Mixon, who has first-round talent but could do more harm than good and, like Ross, doesn't really fill a major need.

They did get great value for Mixon and third-round front seven defender Jordan Willis, but that doesn't make up for all of the losing they've been doing on and off the field. The offensive line still lacks experience, and the secondary lacks young talent.

The way things are looking, the Bengals will be lucky to win more than a handful of games next season in the increasingly tough AFC North.